Douglas County sheriff wants more information about tempting offer

Imagine getting stopped by a police car with McDonaldÃ¢ÂÂs golden arches emblazoned across the hood or a box of detergent painted on the door right next to the departmentÃ¢ÂÂs logo.

Eudora Police Chief Bill Long scoffed at the idea.

Ã¢ÂÂWho wants to drive around in a patrol car with an ad on it?Ã¢ÂÂ Long said.

But thatÃ¢ÂÂs exactly what Government Acquisitions, a Charlotte, N.C. company, says many law enforcement agencies are willing to do. The company is offering to sell brand new police cars to law enforcement agencies for just $1 a vehicle.

The catch is those agencies have to allow advertising logos on the car.

Ã¢ÂÂThe interest has been tremendous since we started this just a few months ago,Ã¢ÂÂ said Ken Allison, a partner in the company. Since spring, about 500 police agencies nationwide have inquired about the program, and some are following through to receive cars, he said.

Douglas County Sheriff Rick Trapp said he would like to know more about the program.

Ã¢ÂÂIf itÃ¢ÂÂs ethical and legal and saves the county money, then itÃ¢ÂÂs worth looking at,Ã¢ÂÂ the sheriff said. Trapp said his office had requested more information on the program and was waiting to receive it.

Ã¢ÂÂI wouldnÃ¢ÂÂt say weÃ¢ÂÂre considering it; we just need more information,Ã¢ÂÂ he said.

Baldwin also might be interested, City Administrator Larry Paine said.

Ã¢ÂÂAt least its something you want to investigate,Ã¢ÂÂ he said. Ã¢ÂÂI donÃ¢ÂÂt want to necessarily turn a police car into something like city buses are.Ã¢ÂÂ

Allison declined to identify cities that have signed contracts with the company. He also declined to identify any specific national corporate sponsors for the advertising.

Government Acquisitions came up with the idea in response to President George W. BushÃ¢ÂÂs call for assistance to emergency service agencies in the wake of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, Allison said. The company also will provide fire trucks.

Advertising is obtained for the vehicles both from local businesses and nationwide corporate sponsors, Allison said.

Ã¢ÂÂWe will work with the local agencies about what ads will be on the cars and weÃ¢ÂÂll solicit them,Ã¢ÂÂ Allison said.

The company does not solicit ads that promote alcohol, tobacco, firearms or anything else that might be considered inappropriate for a law enforcement vehicle, Allison said.

Lawrence Police are not interested in the idea at the moment, Sgt. Mike Pattrick said. A decision to enter into contracts for purchase of police cars would have to involve city hall officials as well as the police department. The ethics of having ads on police cars also would have to be researched and discussed, he said.

At least two other Kansas cities have inquired about obtaining vehicles from Government Acquisitions. Abilene Police Chief Bryan Dunlap said city commissioners there would have to make a decision.

Ã¢ÂÂObviously it saves us some money, but the tradeoff is, do you want those people to keep coming back and hitting your local businesses for money?Ã¢ÂÂ Dunlap said.

Towanda Police Chief Tim Scott said he asked about obtaining an emergency rescue truck emblazoned with ads. He rejected the idea after learning vehicles must be returned to Government Acquisitions after three years so they can be resold.

An agency gets another vehicle through the company every three years or they go back to buying one on their own - or doing without, Scott said.

Ã¢ÂÂI didnÃ¢ÂÂt even take this to the city council,Ã¢ÂÂ Scott said. Ã¢ÂÂI decided this was going into Ã¢ÂÂ'file 13.Ã¢ÂÂÃ¢ÂÂ